Water Quality Monitoring Intern (Two positions available)

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper will be once again hiring two paid internship positions to assist with our water quality monitoring program in the Goleta Valley Watershed.  Our Water Quality Monitoring program is a great way for folks to gain field work experience, hone their data entry skills, and interact with a local environmental nonprofit organization. The internship job description and requirements is attached. Cover letters and resumes are due by May 31, 2026 and can be emailed to me (molly@sbck.org). Thank you!

Job Description (training is provided):
The Water Quality Interns will assist Channelkeeper’s Science & Program Manager in
implementing the water quality monitoring program in the Goleta Valley Watershed.

Primary duties include:
- Maintenance, preparation, and calibration of equipment and materials for
creek sampling events each month
- Water quality monitoring in the field for five water quality parameters and
collecting additional water samples to analyze in the laboratory
- Analyzing water quality samples in the Channelkeeper lab for indicator
bacteria and turbidity
- Data entry (approximately 4 hours/month)
- Conducting additional water quality monitoring, stream survey field work,
and quality control activities as necessary

Additional tasks may include:
- Conducting occasional water quality presentations for students
- Assisting with Channelkeeper outreach and fundraising events
- Assisting with other Channelkeeper events such as creek and beach cleanups

Requirements:
- Ability, comfort, and desire to work highly independently in the office and in
the field
- Curiosity, acute observational skills, extreme attention to detail, and reliability
- Ability to conduct fieldwork in creeks, which may include carrying equipment
(up to 25 lbs), hiking up to 5 miles over uneven, difficult terrain through wet,
muddy, and overgrown areas.
- Willingness to conduct data entry work

Desirable Qualifications:
- Analytical background in environmental science, chemistry, biology or other
related field (especially related to water quality and/or creek ecology).
- Experience with Microsoft Excel and Access
- Knowledge of environmental policy
- GIS/GPS experience